LinkedIn: the professional playground where connections are forged, careers are built, and… questionable posts run rampant. As a Singapore copywriter, I’ve seen it all—from the overly self-congratulatory updates to the cringe-worthy sales pitches that make you wonder, “Who approved this?”
Whether you’re here to network, showcase your skills, or just scope out your competition, it pays to know what not to do. So, let’s dive into the top 10 LinkedIn sins and ensure your profile doesn’t end up as a cautionary tale.
1. The Humblebrag Overload
We get it. You’re amazing, you’re killing it, and you just closed the deal of the century. But starting your post with “I’m so humbled to be recognised as...” while attaching a photo of your five industry awards? That’s not humble—that’s just showing off. LinkedIn is about sharing value, not making everyone else feel inadequate. Keep the bragging to a sprinkle, not a dump truck.
2. The Mass Connection Blitz
Sending connection requests to everyone from your high school janitor to that CFO you met for three seconds at a conference in 2018? Stop it. If your message reads like a generic copy-paste, people will either ignore it or, worse, report you. Personalise your requests—and for heaven’s sake, no “I see we have mutual interests” if you’ve clearly not read their profile.
3. The All-Caps Enthusiast
“LET’S CELEBRATE THIS AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT!!!” Calm down, Karen. LinkedIn is not a used car sales lot. Write like a human, not a malfunctioning Caps Lock key. Enthusiasm is great, but there’s a fine line between excitement and yelling at your followers.
4. The Oversharer
“After crying for three hours and questioning my existence, I realised the true meaning of life during my morning coffee.” Inspirational? Maybe. Awkward? Definitely. LinkedIn is for professional stories—not your diary. If you wouldn’t say it in a job interview, don’t post it here.
5. The Emoji Maniac
⭐️✌️🚀🙌“Check out my latest blog post!” Stop treating your posts like a glittery MySpace page from 2005. A well-placed emoji can add personality. Fifty emojis? Now you’re just a walking distraction.
6. The Endless Sales Pitch
Do you like being cold-called during dinner? Neither does anyone on LinkedIn. If your first message after connecting is a “buy my product” pitch, congrats—you’ve just been muted. Build a relationship, show value, and only then (maybe) mention your business. Think courtship, not cold-calling.
7. The Hashtag Overloader
#Leadership #Success #MotivationMonday #HustleHarder #Synergy. No. Pick one or two relevant hashtags and call it a day. A hashtag salad doesn’t make you look more searchable; it makes you look desperate.
8. The Nostalgia Monster
“Here’s a photo of me as a 5-year-old holding a crayon. Little did I know this would lead to my illustrious career in graphic design.” Lovely story, but this is LinkedIn, not Throwback Thursday on Instagram. Keep your posts relevant to your current professional brand.
9. The Ghoster
You’ve spent hours curating the perfect post, and then… crickets. No replies to comments, no acknowledgment of shares. Posting on LinkedIn isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it game. Engage with your audience or risk looking like a robot. Nobody likes a ghoster, not even Casper.
10. The Selfie Overload
Selfies at conferences, selfies with clients, selfies in front of your office plant. We’re not saying LinkedIn is selfie-free territory, but remember: moderation is key. One professional headshot goes a long way; a photo dump belongs on Facebook.
How a Singapore Copywriter Can Help
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for networking, sharing knowledge, and showcasing your professional journey. But like any tool, it can be misused—and misusing LinkedIn doesn’t just make you look bad; it makes us all cringe collectively.
So, go forth, connect thoughtfully, post wisely, and for the love of all things professional, leave the caps lock alone. And if you need help crafting LinkedIn posts that actually resonate—without the cringe—you know where to find a good copywriter.